Imagine this: you’re leading a recruitment agency and considering whether to invest in an off-the-shelf solution like Spadework, or to build your own AI-driven tool in-house. At first glance, the second option sounds tempting—especially in today’s AI-driven world where everyone seems to be coding their own models. But in practice? You’ll almost always end up with a weaker product, a higher workload, and a lower return on investment.
The hidden costs of “building it yourself”
Developing your own software may look cost-efficient at the start, but the hidden challenges quickly pile up. What happens when:
API structures change overnight?
Your AI model suddenly stops performing?
A sub-processor updates their Terms of Service?
Every one of these scenarios requires ongoing maintenance, new expertise, and constant troubleshooting. Instead of focusing on your core business, your team gets stuck firefighting tech issues.
Why off-the-shelf is built to last
Off-the-shelf solutions like Spadework are continuously updated, optimized, and stress-tested across multiple clients and use cases. That means your business benefits from:
A proven, reliable infrastructure.
Lower long-term costs.
Faster time-to-value.
Continuous improvements without extra effort on your side.
Rather than reinventing the wheel, you’re leveraging a product that already integrates best practices and is ready to scale.
A real-world example: BKV Jobs
One of our clients, BKV Jobs, learned this lesson the hard way. They first tried to build their own CV Transformer in-house, convinced it would be faster and cheaper. In reality, they faced technical hurdles, inconsistent output, and an endless stream of small issues that drained time and money.
When they switched to Spadework, they immediately experienced smoother workflows, higher consistency, and ultimately a better ROI. Their recruiters could finally focus on what really mattered: matching candidates with the right jobs.
Buy or make? The decision is clearer than you think
At a time when AI makes “building your own” look more attractive than ever, the real question isn’t whether you can build—it’s whether you should.
For most businesses, the smartest choice is clear: rely on off-the-shelf software that evolves with the market, takes care of complex maintenance behind the scenes, and delivers measurable ROI from day one.
Final thought
If your team is still debating between buy or build, ask yourself this: do you want to run a tech company, or do you want to run your core business? With Spadework, you don’t have to choose—you simply get the best of both worlds.
